Luis Valdéz, the playwright of Zoot Suit, created short, dramatized actos that showed the essence and spirit of Chicano reality. Zoot Suit was written in the 1960's during the civil rights movement. Zoot Suit exemplifies the discrimination and oppression Chicano people dealt with in the early years. It depicted the racial violence and harsh pain and prejudice of cross-culture. Zoot Suit is a good representation of Chicano Theatre because of the aspects incorporated. For example, 2 languages interchange throughout the play to portray a peculiar linguistic mixture. Zoot Suit was created during the most important theatrical developments in Puerto Rico. There was new awareness of ethnic identity and rights that accompanied the civil rights movement. The arts became important to spread recognition for a need of cultural and economic programs. In the 1960's, when Zoot Suit was written, it was a product of the Chicano movement that dealt with social and judicial issues in a dramatic style. It was a product from a theatre with ethnic pride and identity.